"I knew there would be some push back when we came out. Certain people won't believe this: [the acquisition] doesn't come from an evil space.
"It comes from a space where there's an opportunity that maps really well with what we need in terms of the genre, and a partner that's looking for a partnership," Spencer said in an effort to dispel the idea that Microsoft acquired the deal to spite owners of other platforms. "Other people can do the deal, but it was a deal that fit well with us. And I think it could help the franchise in the long run and help Crystal and Square and us."
Because the exclusivity is timed and Microsoft does not own the IP, Rise of the Tomb Raider could possibly release on other platforms in the future. Spencer was hesitant to say anything about that, however, focusing on the fact that the Tomb Raider IP is not his property.
"I don't own the IP," he said. "So then when certain people start talking to me about, well, what is the future of the Tomb Raider franchise, it's not really something I can talk to. Just like if you were going to ask me what's going on with Dead Rising 6, I don't own that. So, when people want me to say, well can you tell us when or if it's coming to other platforms, it's not my job. My job is not to talk about games I don't own."
In response to a question of whether or not the acquisition is a response to Uncharted 4, Spencer confirmed that he was looking to build the Xbox portfolio and add something to compete with Sony's action-adventure series.
"I'm a big fan of Uncharted, and I wish we had an action adventure game of that ilk. We've started some, and we've looked at them. But we don't have one today of that quality. This is an opportunity," he said. "... When you think about our portfolio, if it was a sci-fi shooter, I probably wouldn't do that! I've got one of those! Or if it's a Gears competitor, or a Forza competitor, there are things I wouldn't go after. But this is one that clearly fit in our portfolio really well."
He continued to express his optimism about the future of the franchise on Xbox platforms. "I think it's a win/win. It's good for us. We've got certain needs out of it. I think it could be good for them [Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics].
"And, frankly and I know a lot of people won't like this but I'll say it I think it can be good for the franchise and good for gaming all up, because it's a franchise that's meant something, and we're going to be able to work with them and invest and try to put the marketing and everything else at a level, and we're active in working with them on the development of the game as well, to try to make it one of those franchises that stands out."
"I don't own the IP," he said. "So then when certain people start talking to me about, well, what is the future of the Tomb Raider franchise, it's not really something I can talk to. Just like if you were going to ask me what's going on with Dead Rising 6, I don't own that. So, when people want me to say, well can you tell us when or if it's coming to other platforms, it's not my job. My job is not to talk about games I don't own."
In response to a question of whether or not the acquisition is a response to Uncharted 4, Spencer confirmed that he was looking to build the Xbox portfolio and add something to compete with Sony's action-adventure series.
"I'm a big fan of Uncharted, and I wish we had an action adventure game of that ilk. We've started some, and we've looked at them. But we don't have one today of that quality. This is an opportunity," he said. "... When you think about our portfolio, if it was a sci-fi shooter, I probably wouldn't do that! I've got one of those! Or if it's a Gears competitor, or a Forza competitor, there are things I wouldn't go after. But this is one that clearly fit in our portfolio really well."
He continued to express his optimism about the future of the franchise on Xbox platforms. "I think it's a win/win. It's good for us. We've got certain needs out of it. I think it could be good for them [Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics].
"And, frankly and I know a lot of people won't like this but I'll say it I think it can be good for the franchise and good for gaming all up, because it's a franchise that's meant something, and we're going to be able to work with them and invest and try to put the marketing and everything else at a level, and we're active in working with them on the development of the game as well, to try to make it one of those franchises that stands out."
